CCA Health and Genetics Updates
UC Davis Diversity Study on the Chinook
2023: Researchers at UC Davis are looking for a minimum of 30 purebred Chinooks for Phase 1 diversity testing. Several other breeds are enrolled in their own breed's diversity research at UC Davis, and now we have Chinooks participating too! Phase 1 is looking for Chinooks who are the least related and also in the purebred breeding population. Do you have a Chinook who fits this description? We need just a few more Chinooks to complete the sampling for Phase 1! For more information, and to participate, contact Nancy @ Chinookclubofamerica.health@gmail.com
Animals and Covid 19 - Link to CDC report
Chinook Club of America, Inc. Health Statement
Approved by AKC, Effective Sept 1, 2022
(Link to full document)
The Board of Directors of Chinook Club of America (CCA) is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Chinook Breed and recommends certain health testing for our Chinooks. Hip dysplasia, eye issues, the MDR1 mutation and chondrodysplasia are disorders identified in the breed. Testing provides owners and breeders with information to benefit the breed and that will help the individual dog. In addition to our recommended testing for these identified breed health issues, we’ve included a list of suggested testing for health concerns on our “watch list”. Click on the above link to view the whole list of recommended and suggested health tests.
The Chinook Club of America encourages all Chinook owners and Chinook breeders to participate in genetic research, health testing, and health certifications as they relate to their Chinook Dogs.
CCA supports Key Canine Health Initiatives for our Chinooks including:
AKC Canine Health Foundation CHF)
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
OFA's Eye Registry (CAER)
Program descriptions follow:
AKC Canine Health Foundation CHF)
Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
OFA's Eye Registry (CAER)
Program descriptions follow:
The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF)
"CHF", founded in 1995, funds canine health with an emphasis on genetic research. CHF is the largest non-profit funder of exclusively canine research in the world. The CHF website provides information on current and competed research projects sorted by disease, institution, breed, researcher and grant number.
CHF provides educational services to parent clubs and dog owners including sponsoring health events, informational booths at major AKC conformation shows, and conducting canine health and genetics breeders' symposiums across the United States.
"CHF", founded in 1995, funds canine health with an emphasis on genetic research. CHF is the largest non-profit funder of exclusively canine research in the world. The CHF website provides information on current and competed research projects sorted by disease, institution, breed, researcher and grant number.
CHF provides educational services to parent clubs and dog owners including sponsoring health events, informational booths at major AKC conformation shows, and conducting canine health and genetics breeders' symposiums across the United States.
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC CHF and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). CHIC's mission is: "to provide a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs". CHIC provides an open database that allows parent clubs to identify and track major health concerns within their breed so that breeders and buyers may have accurate information on which to base decisions.
To obtain a CHIC certification your Chinook must be permanently identified - micro-chipping is the most often used method. CHIC testing for certification is individualized by the parent clubs for each breed. For Chinooks, testing is required for hips through OFA or PennHIP, eyes through OFA. and MDR1 and Chondrodystrophy by an OFA approved lab. A CHIC number is issued when a Chinook has completed the required tests. Your Chinook dog will receive a CHIC number regardless of test results (passing or not passing). More on the CHIC Chinook program!
CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC CHF and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). CHIC's mission is: "to provide a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs". CHIC provides an open database that allows parent clubs to identify and track major health concerns within their breed so that breeders and buyers may have accurate information on which to base decisions.
To obtain a CHIC certification your Chinook must be permanently identified - micro-chipping is the most often used method. CHIC testing for certification is individualized by the parent clubs for each breed. For Chinooks, testing is required for hips through OFA or PennHIP, eyes through OFA. and MDR1 and Chondrodystrophy by an OFA approved lab. A CHIC number is issued when a Chinook has completed the required tests. Your Chinook dog will receive a CHIC number regardless of test results (passing or not passing). More on the CHIC Chinook program!
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
OFA was originally founded in 1966 to investigate canine hip dysplasia but since this time the organization has expanded its goal to "improve the health and well being of companion animals through the reduction in the incidence of genetic disease". Some of the health databases maintained by the OFA include hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, autoimmune thyroiditis, congenital heart disease, shoulder OCD, eye evaluations, MDR1 reporting, dwarfism, as well as several DNA based databases. The OFA website provides health and genetics information, forms for testing and testing information, reports on breeds and individual dogs, and a list of coming health clinics.
OFA records can be searched by breed, name, and registration number: Over 1900 Chinook evaluations have been recorded by OFA!
OFA was originally founded in 1966 to investigate canine hip dysplasia but since this time the organization has expanded its goal to "improve the health and well being of companion animals through the reduction in the incidence of genetic disease". Some of the health databases maintained by the OFA include hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, autoimmune thyroiditis, congenital heart disease, shoulder OCD, eye evaluations, MDR1 reporting, dwarfism, as well as several DNA based databases. The OFA website provides health and genetics information, forms for testing and testing information, reports on breeds and individual dogs, and a list of coming health clinics.
OFA records can be searched by breed, name, and registration number: Over 1900 Chinook evaluations have been recorded by OFA!
OFA Eye Certification Registry (CAER)
CAER maintains a health registry of dogs that have been certified free of known heritable eye disease that are specific for each breed. CAER issues reports on the prevalence of eye diseases by breed. CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) previously maintained an eye database for the breeds.
To receive a CAER certification, a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist exams your Chinook's eyes, advises you on any findings, and completes and mails a customized CAER form back to OFA. The owner fills out the back of the CAER form given by the vet, and mails the form along with the appropriate fee to CAER. The vet's form provides breed information to the CAER database while the owner's form is used to issue a one year eye certification to the owner. This certification is good for 12 months from the date of exam. Recertification requires additional exams.
CAER and OFA maintain an online verification page where Chinooks can be searched by their name, CERF number, or their registration number. CAER clinics are listed on the OFA website.
CAER maintains a health registry of dogs that have been certified free of known heritable eye disease that are specific for each breed. CAER issues reports on the prevalence of eye diseases by breed. CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) previously maintained an eye database for the breeds.
To receive a CAER certification, a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist exams your Chinook's eyes, advises you on any findings, and completes and mails a customized CAER form back to OFA. The owner fills out the back of the CAER form given by the vet, and mails the form along with the appropriate fee to CAER. The vet's form provides breed information to the CAER database while the owner's form is used to issue a one year eye certification to the owner. This certification is good for 12 months from the date of exam. Recertification requires additional exams.
CAER and OFA maintain an online verification page where Chinooks can be searched by their name, CERF number, or their registration number. CAER clinics are listed on the OFA website.
Is your Chinook an AKC Canine Health Foundation Star Dog?
Wonder what those yellow stars are in the show catalog next to a dog’s name? Check your AKC premium list for the Star Dogs notice to see if this program is being offered. By including an extra dollar with your entry fee and indicating your donation with a star by your dog’s name, the show superintendent will forward your donation to the AKC Canine Health Foundation. You and your Chinook will receive recognition in the show catalog along with a star notation in the on-line show results. And best of all, your contribution to Star Dogs will help fund grants that will benefit canine health research!
MDR1: Multidrug Resistance Testing and your Chinook
(Reprinted from the Summer 2016 issue of CCA's newsletter: The Chinook Advocate)
(Reprinted from the Summer 2016 issue of CCA's newsletter: The Chinook Advocate)
Some Chinooks have tested positive for the Multidrug Resistance genetic mutation or MDR1, a mutation more commonly found in herding breeds. This means that Chinooks with one or both copies of MDR1 have a genetic predisposition to adverse drug reactions.
Washington State University (WSU) identified a mutation in the Multidrug Resistance Gene which can cause some serious adverse drug reactions. The more serious drug reactions involve several antiparasitic agents (ivermectin, milbemycin and related drugs), the antidiarrheal agent loperamide (Imodium), and several anticancer drugs (vincristine, doxorubicin, others).
WSU developed and licensed the test that detects the MDR1 mutation in dogs. The mode of inheritance is one of incomplete dominance: results will be Normal/Normal, Normal/Mutant, and Mutant/Mutant. These dogs are referred to as “mutants” rather than “carriers” as carrier is the term used in inheritance of a simple recessive trait. Because there is incomplete dominance, dogs with only one copy of the mutation may be sensitive to certain medications, sometimes to the point of serious neurological illness or death.
Testing for your Chinook is recommended by many Chinook breeders and can be done at Washington State University as well as other labs. WSU offers a stand-alone MDR1 test and their website has detailed information on MDR1 including an info sheet, sampling instructions and breeding guidelines. https://vcpl.vetmed.wsu.edu/
Please look into the MDR1 test for your Chinook - you just may save your dog’s life!
WSU developed and licensed the test that detects the MDR1 mutation in dogs. The mode of inheritance is one of incomplete dominance: results will be Normal/Normal, Normal/Mutant, and Mutant/Mutant. These dogs are referred to as “mutants” rather than “carriers” as carrier is the term used in inheritance of a simple recessive trait. Because there is incomplete dominance, dogs with only one copy of the mutation may be sensitive to certain medications, sometimes to the point of serious neurological illness or death.
Testing for your Chinook is recommended by many Chinook breeders and can be done at Washington State University as well as other labs. WSU offers a stand-alone MDR1 test and their website has detailed information on MDR1 including an info sheet, sampling instructions and breeding guidelines. https://vcpl.vetmed.wsu.edu/
Please look into the MDR1 test for your Chinook - you just may save your dog’s life!
DNA Samples Collected:
CCA contributes to Canine Health Research at the CCA Specialty!
At our August 5th, 2017 National Specialty, Chinook owners donated their Chinook's DNA sample to the Ostrander laboratory, National Human Genome Research Institute at NIH. Several Chinooks contributed to this important research!
Links to important research publications related to our Chinooks:
THE ASPECT OF POPULATION SIZE ON HEALTHY BREEDING IN DOG BREEDS
Jerold S. Bell, DVM, Adjunct Professor of Genetics, Department of Clinical Sciences,
Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Reprinted with permission
Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Reprinted with permission
Noted canine geneticist Jerold Bell DVM presented “THE ASPECT OF POPULATION SIZE ON HEALTHY BREEDING IN DOG BREEDS” at the AKC Canine Health Foundation Conference in August 2017.
Dr. Bell’s article is particularly significant for the Chinook community given both the small numbers of dogs and the prior, and new, cross programs.
This article is a thoughtful analysis on the topic of diversity and is not only important for those of us breeding or thinking of breeding Chinooks, but for anyone wanting a greater understanding of what makes a breed healthy. Best of all, it’s understandable for those of us without a degree in genetics!
Dr. Bell’s article is particularly significant for the Chinook community given both the small numbers of dogs and the prior, and new, cross programs.
This article is a thoughtful analysis on the topic of diversity and is not only important for those of us breeding or thinking of breeding Chinooks, but for anyone wanting a greater understanding of what makes a breed healthy. Best of all, it’s understandable for those of us without a degree in genetics!
Genomic Analyses Reveal the Influence of Geographic Origin, Migration, and Hybridization on Modern Dog Breed Development
Chinooks are included in this study along with 160 other dog breeds.
Chinooks are included in this study along with 160 other dog breeds.